What are the treatments for anal fissure in newborns?

Anal fissures in newborns are common when the stool is too hard or the skin around the anus is sensitive. It can usually be improved through local care, dietary adjustment and drug treatment. A few severe cases may require surgical intervention. Parents are advised to seek medical attention in time for a clear diagnosis and care.

1. Local care

During the treatment, it is crucial to keep the perianal area clean and moist. You can clean the perianal area of ​​the newborn with warm water every day, but be careful not to use detergents containing irritating ingredients. After cleaning, gently dry it and apply a protective ointment, such as zinc oxide ointment or vitamin E cream, which can speed up the healing of the skin. In addition, warm water sitz baths can be used appropriately to help relieve discomfort, but the water temperature must be appropriate to avoid burns.

2. Diet adjustment

Breastfeeding mothers need to pay attention to their diet and avoid taking too much spicy and greasy food, which may affect the defecation characteristics of newborns through breast milk. For babies who are using formula milk, it is appropriate to change to some formula milk containing probiotics, which will help improve the intestinal flora of newborns and relieve constipation. If the baby has already added complementary food, you can add fiber-rich foods such as applesauce, carrot mash, etc., and ensure adequate drinking of water.

3. Medication

If a newborn's anal fissure is painful or does not heal, your doctor may recommend topical medications, including ointments with anesthetic ingredients to relieve pain, such as lidocaine ointment, and ointments that promote healing, such as povidone-iodine ointment. For cases with severe constipation, your doctor may recommend a short course of oral stool softeners, such as lactulose syrup, which are milder and are specifically used for infants and young children.

4. Surgery

For a small number of newborns with recurrent anal fissures or other rectal diseases (such as anal fistulas), surgical treatment may be required. Modern minimally invasive techniques are more commonly used in infant surgery, and common methods are anal fissure repair or anal dilation. However, surgical treatment requires parents to carefully weigh the risks and benefits under the guidance of a doctor, and is generally used as a last resort.

Timely care for anal fissures in newborns can help symptoms recover, but the key thing parents need to pay attention to is prevention. By adjusting diet, optimizing care details and regular bowel movements, the condition can be prevented from getting worse. If symptoms continue to get worse or are accompanied by infection, it is important to seek medical attention in a timely manner and receive professional guidance and treatment. Parents are requested to pay active attention to the health of newborns to help them grow up comfortably as soon as possible.